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You are invited to hear faculty and staff authors read and discuss their latest work at the SPU Library's Thursday Food For Thought reading series. All readings are free and open to the public. See a schedule of readings at spu.edu/tfft.

Playing tour guide, Nelson notes that the world of academic resources required for learning is increasing exponentially. The latest technology, a substantial library collection, expert teaching librarians, and an effective library website help attract and keep first-rate students and faculty members. He is devoted
to providing these cutting-edge resources — but there's a catch.

"No library can afford to do this alone anymore," Nelson
explains. "We need to be part of a consortium. So we might as well be a part of the best consortium in the United States. And we are."

Orbis Cascade Alliance connects 36 academic institutions in Oregon and Washington. More than 225,000 students benefit from a combined catalog and borrowing system, and vast collections of books, DVDs, CDs, paper journals — and electronic resources such as e-books.

It's a cost-effective strategy for university libraries in the digital age. As printed academic journals are replaced by electronic versions, for instance, subscriptions become more
expensive. "This is the most difficult economic problem in front of academic libraries today,"
explains Nelson. Through the
Alliance, however, group purchases mean costs are shared and member libraries strengthened.

Another plus is that printed journals can now be recycled and library space used differently. Nelson has seen to it that there is space in the SPU Library — complete with view windows and display of student coursework — for a variety of purposes. Some students need quiet rooms for reading and research. Others need to brainstorm with classmates, collaborate on multimedia projects, access web-based collections, and publish reports. What was storage space for journals has become today's learning workshop.

All of this requires a first-rate infrastructure. Much of what brings the new world of digital resources to students — both inside this building, and through the Library website — is sophisticated wiring hidden in the building's walls.

The "infrastructure" of the academic library also includes its outstanding staff. "Our librarians are faculty members," says Nelson."They're experts in information literacy, teaching students the skills to find what they need."

It takes a clear view of the
future to guide today's academic library. And Nelson has knowledge, vision and wisdom, says Les Steele, SPU vice president of academic affairs. "What is also striking about Bryce is his deep sense of the aesthetics of library space. He beckons people to come and learn."